porter

Where we worked: porters.

Though now gone from all but a few industries, porters were once ubiquitous in the service landscape. Responsible for everything from carrying bags or packages to cleaning common spaces to fixing minor maintenance issues, porters were early customer service representatives of a sort, tasked with ensuring smooth public-facing operations in all manner of work settings. The job was almost exclusively reserved for African-American men and generally demanded a facade of deference (or even subservience) that not all were able to consistently display. That said, positions as porters were sought-after as relatively well-paid, clean, and safe, and men who worked these jobs often headed solidly middle-class Black households.

Below, a running list of pre-World War II porters in Wilson:

  • James Austin, 1912
  • John Arrington, Briggs Hotel pool room, 1916
  • Rome Bagley, 1916
  • Henry Ball, 1912
  • Ernest Barefoot, Turlington & Morrison, 1918
  • Charles Barnes, Briggs Hotel, 1916
  • Dave Barnes, Briggs Hotel, 1916
  • Frank Barnes, Barnes Harrell Company, 1912
  • Frank Barnes, 1916
  • Howard Barnes, Patterson Drug Store, 1916
  • Jacob Barnes, Barnes-Graves Grocery, 1916
  • James F. Barnes, Barnes-Harrell Company, 1916
  • Zachariah Barnes, 1912, 1916
  • Frank Batts, Patterson Drug Company, 1908
  • William Batts, 1916
  • William Biden, 1912
  • Charles Blount, Barrett’s Printing House, 1912
  • Thomas Bowser, Dr. Wade H. Anderson, 1912
  • Bud Boyett, 1912
  • Edward Brewington, 1908
  • Hughey Brown, 1908
  • Albert F. Bullock, Turlington & Moore, 1912
  • Walter Bullock, 1912
  • Amos Bynum, 1908
  • Mack Bynum, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company, 1916
  • Jesse Cannon, 1912
  • Charles L. Coppedge, 1912
  • Edward Cotton, 1912
  • Hardy Cox, 1908
  • Morton Crawford, Oettinger’s Department Store, 1918
  • Russell Darden, [probably Charles H. Darden & Sons] 1912
  • William Day, 1912
  • George H. Edmundson, Oettinger’s Department Store, 1918
  • Henry Edwards, 1908
  • Stacey Edwards, Moore-Herring Hospital, 1916
  • Charles W. Farmer, Wilson Drug Company, 1912
  • Jesse Farmer, 1912
  • John W. Farmer, 1912
  • Mark Farmer, Ideal Pharmacy, 1912
  • Orlando Farmer, Wilson Grocery Company, 1908
  • William Farmer, Barnes Harrell Company, 1916
  • Ralph Gaston, 1912
  • Charles B. Gay, 1912
  • Isaac Hagans, First National, 1908
  • Andrew Hargett, 1912
  • Samuel Henderson, E.M. Drake, 1908
  • Freeman Hill, Strickland & Lewis, 1912
  • William Hilliard, Strickland & Lewis, 1912
  • Alexander Hinton, Carroll Grocery Company, 1916
  • Alex Halloway, Barnes Graves Company, 1912
  • Harry Holloway, Strickland & Lewis, 1912
  • Edward Hunter, 1908
  • Luther Jenkins, 1912
  • John Jefferson, 1912
  • Roscoe Johnson, 1912
  • Robert Kearney, 1908, 1912
  • Joseph Lindsey, 1912
  • Luther Locus, 1912
  • John Lowery, Oettinger’s Department Store, 1912
  • Edward McLean, 1912
  • Joseph Mercer, 1912
  • Otis Mercer, 1912
  • Lewis Miles, 1908
  • Amos Moore, hotel, 1930
  • Arthur Moore, 1912
  • Leonard Moore, Levi Jones Barber Shop, 1916
  • Richard Moore, Patterson Drug Company, 1916
  • Albert Moye, 1908
  • Joshua Neal, 1912
  • Jesse Norfleet, 1912
  • Joseph C. Palmer, 1908
  • Oscar Parker, 1912
  • Claude Pender, Tabron Brothers, 1916
  • Floyd Pender, 1912
  • Richmond Pender, 1912, J.H. Gill, 1916
  • James Perrington, 1908
  • Henry Perry, Patterson Drug Company, 1908
  • Jesse Perry, 1912
  • William Pitt, 1912
  • Edward Roberts, 1908
  • Edwin Robinson, Wilson Drug Company, 1908
  • James Rountree, 1918
  • Luther Sanders, Gilmer’s,
  • Edmund Sharp, 1912
  • William Simpson, 1908
  • Alonso Speight, Patterson Drug Company, 1916
  • Walter Stewart, 1908
  • Doan Strickland, 1908
  • Jesse Strickland, 1908
  • Douglas Tabron, Turlington & Morrison, 1916
  • Smith Taylor, 1912
  • Hezekiah Tucker, 1912
  • Peter Vick, 1912
  • Aulcer Ward, 1912
  • John Ward, 1912
  • James Ware, Imperial Hotel, 1912
  • Caesar J. Williams, 1912
  • Ernest Wynn, Turlington & Morrison, 1916

Where we worked: Barrett’s Printing House.

1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.

In the 1912 city directory, Charles Blount reported that he was a porter at Barrett’s Printing House and took rooms at Union Hotel on East Nash Street. Founded in 1896, Barrett’s is the oldest continuously-owned family business in Wilson and now operates at 409 South Goldsboro Street.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Daniel Blunt, 35; wife Susan, 26; and children Ellen, 5, Eva, 3, Demsey, 1, Daniel, 12, and Charley, 10.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at New Briggs Hotel, Charles Blount, 19, hotel “floor boy.” [The hotel reported 11 African-American staff members living onsite — four bellboys, two cooks, two chambermaids, and the floor boy. However, this may be a different Charles Blount, as the 1912 city directory lists two.]

Johnson shot and seriously wounded during card game.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 July 1932.

Tom Johnson survived this shooting, but not a second ten years later.

For more of Johnson’s colorful life, see here.

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  • Tom Johnson

On 24 February 1917, Tom Johnson, 31, son of Orange and Lula Johnson, married Ethel McGill, 21, daughter of James and Hattie M. McGill, in Farmville, Pitt County, N.C.

Probably, in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 112 Reid Street, owned and valued at $1500, Tom Johnson, 41, and wife Ethel, 38, cosmetics agent.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Tom Johnson, 55; wife Ethel, 42; mother Lula, 68, widow; and son Rogers McGill, 27.

Tom Johnson died 25 December 1942 on Pender Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 September 1895 in Terrll County, Georgia, to Orange Johnson and Lula [no maiden name]; lived at 112 South Reid Street; was married to Ethel Johnson; and worked as a laborer. He died of gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen “on the street.”

  • George Porter 

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo clnr and presser, h 116 Ashe

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo tobwkr h 506 Spring

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Porter Geo lab h 508 Spring

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Spring Street, pressing club operator George Porter, 34, born in Georgia; servant Jeneva Brown, 30, and her children Esther, 13, Martha, 12, and Oliver, 9; and George’s daughter George M., 14.

On 28 February 1935, George Porter, 36, of Wilson County, son of William and Louisa Porter, married Geneva Townsend, 35, of Wilson County, daughter of Louis and Henrietta Townsend, at the home of Baptist minister W.T. Thompson Jr. in Nashville, Nash County. Luther Jones applied for the license and was a witness, as were James W. Hardy and Laura Harris.

George Porter died 4 September 1937 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 37 years old; was born in Georgia to William Porter of Georgia and Louisa Barnes of Wilson County; worked as a storekeeper; was married to Geneva Porter; and was buried in Wilson.

The obituary of Esther Brown Goodwin.

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Arizona Daily Star, 31 July 1984.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 419 Hines Street, Lewis Townsend, 62; wife Henrietta, 60; daughter Alzie, 22; and daughter Geneva Brown, 24; son-in-law George Brown, 26; and grandchildren Ester, George Jr., and Martha.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Spring, pressing club operator George Porter, 34, divorced; Jeneva Brown, 30, divorced,  housekeeping servant, and her children Brown, 15, Esther, 13, Martha, 12, and Olive, 9; and George M. Porter, 4.

George Brown died 1 October 1947 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 53 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Sam and Martha Brown; was married; lived at 911 Robeson Street; worked as an auto mechanic; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. Informant was Mrs. Esther Goodwin, 408 East Hines Street.

In June 1955, the Goodwin family flew from Frankfurt, Germany, to New York after Capt. Felix Goodwin completed a tour of duty.

New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com.

The obituary of Hercules Hill Hinnant.

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Wilson Daily Times, 22 June 1934.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: garden laborer Joe Hill, 71, and wife Annie, 68, housemaid; daughter Elizabeth Hinnant, 23, laundress; son-in-law Frank, 37, store drayman; grandson Hercules, 1 month; daughter Estell Hill, 20, cook; son-in-law(?) Lela Hill, 16, laundress; son-in-law Edgar Barnes, 20, odd jobs laborer, and daughter Mary, 19, laundress.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Mercer Street, widow Louise Hinyard, 58; son Frank, 34, hardware store truck driver; daughter-in-law Elizabeth, 31, tobacco factory worker; and grandson Hercules, 10.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 306 Pender Street, rented for $20/month, widow Anna Hill, 75, private maid; grandson Herkie Lee Hill, 19, drugstore deliveryman; lodgers Willie Bryant, 18, bicycle shop laborer, and Elixandora Sharp, 21, barbershop bootblack; roomer John Sharp, 13; and granddaughter Rosa Simmons, 17, laundress.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hinnant Hercules (c; porter) 306 N Pender

Per his death certificate, Hercules Hinnant died 17 June 1934 in Wilson. He was born 21 August 1910 to Frank Hinnant and Elizabeth Hill; resided at 306 Pender; was single; and worked as a laborer.

  • Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church
  • Rev. I. Albert Moore
  • Rev. B.F. Jordan — Benjamin F. Jordan.
  • Rev. Eddie Cox
  • Rountree cemetery
  • Wilson Drug Company — per the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Wilson Drug Company was at 114 South Tarboro Street.
  • Miller Drug Company — the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Miller’s Drug Store was at 200 East Nash.
  • Samuel Robinson
  • Willie Bryant — see above.
  • Mack Sharpe — probably, in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Katie Sharpe, 37; and children Harvey, 21, Willard, 19, Ernest, 17, Samson and Gladys T., 15, Nellie, 13, Alexander, 11, Kathryn, 9, Mack, 6, and John, 4.
  • Freeman Ennis — in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 Viola, rented for $15/month, Maggie Ennis, 45, sons Freeman, 22, barbershop bootblack, and Ennis, 12, daughter Hennie, 10; and roomer Julus Barnes, 27, Hackney body plant laborer.
  • Samuel Farmer
  • Willie Neale — probably, in the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, Jaushue Neal, 45; wife Pearcy, 39; and children Willie, 18, Louise, 16, Mattie, 13, Essie M., 12, and Charlie, 11.

 

Dave Barnes, porter, gives “prompt attention to all.”

Wilson_Advance_9_14_1893_Dave_Barnes_Briggs_Hotel

Wilson Advance, 14 September 1893.

WDT_10_16_1896_Dave_the_porter

Wilson Daily Times, 16 October 1896.

WDT_11_1_1910_Dave_Barnes

Wilson Daily Times, 1 November 1910.

Charlotte_Observer_1_26_1913_Dave_Barnes_dead

Charlotte Observer, 26 January 1913.

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On 31 January 1884, David Barnes, no age reported, married Pattie Battle, 17, at Efford Battle‘s in Wilson County. Minister E.H. Ward performed the ceremony in the presence of Sarah Artice, Mary Linsey, and James Barnes.

On 15 April 1894, David Barnes, 35, married Della Hines, 32, in Wilson. Rev. Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the bride’s home in the presence of J.T. Deans, Mrs. Hardy Tate, and Hardy Tate.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: hotel porter Dave Barnes, 40; wife Della; and children Walter, 20, William, 15, Lucy, 13, Dave, 5, and Viola, 11. [The older children were, in fact, Walter Hines, William Hines, and Lucy Hines, Della Hines Barnes’ children and Dave’s stepchildren.]

On 10 December 1904, Mack Jones, 21, of Halifax County, son of Mack and Lucy Jones, married Viola Barnes, 17, of Edgecombe County, daughter of David Barnes of Wilson County, at the “home house” in Township No. 12, Edgecombe County.

Viola Jones died 8 September 1909 in Scotland Neck, Halifax County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 February 1887 in Wilson to Dave Barnes of Wilson and Pattie Battle of Edgecombe County; was married; and was buried in Marys Chapel. Mack Jones was informant.

David Barnes died 23 January 1913 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 52 years old; worked in “hoteling”; was married; and was born in Wilson to unknown parents. Informant was William Hines.

Efford Barnes died 31 May 1913 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 30 years old; was born in Wilson to Davit Barnes of Wilson and Pattie Battle of Halifax; and was a common laborer. William Hines was informant.

Boisey Otha Barnes died 24 April 1956 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 April 1902 in Wilson to Dave and Della Barnes; was married to Flossie Barnes; lived at 1312 Fikewood Street; and was a physician.